Saturday, June 7, 2014

Fairy Tale Fridays: Little Briar-Rose (aka Sleeping Beauty)

Yes, yes. I am fully aware that it is no longer Friday, but rather Saturday. This last week proved to be more chaotic than planned, so I am getting this one posted a little later than usual.

This month, we are talking more about The Brothers Grimm with their story Little Briar-Rose. Many may not know this story as Little Briar-Rose, but instead as Sleeping Beauty.

It is the story of a king and queen who so desire a child, and when she arrives splendid in her beauty, they throw a little celebration. Unfortunately, they make a mistake in not inviting all the wise women of the kingdom. The sole uninvited guest shows up unexpectedly to get her revenge, wishing death upon the princess. Thankfully, the final wise woman still had one more gift to bestow upon the princess, changing the death to 100 years of sleep.

On the princess's fifteenth birthday, the vengeful wish comes to fruition, leaving the entire kingdom in slumber. While they sleep, the kingdom becomes surrounded by a thorned hedge that many a prince tries to penetrate to reach the sleeping princess. Each one perishes in a horrible death. After the 100 years has passed, however, the hedge turns to a flowering wall and allows one prince through its gates. He finds the princess, gives her a kiss, and the entire kingdom returns to a wakeful state, exactly where they left off when the spell first took effect. And, of course, the prince and princess marry and live happily ever after.

So, what do I think about this tale? Well, overall, it is not one of my favorites and I cannot say exactly why. I am left with lots of questions and comments though, so let me share a few of them with you . . .

A frog once again makes an appearance in this one. At the beginning of the story, the king and queen desire a child, and it is the frog that predicts the beauty that is about to enter their lives. Why a frog? What is the meaning behind this? Frogs appear in fairy tales so often, and I am not sure of the significance behind them.

I am so annoyed at the fact that the king and queen decided to exclude just one person simply because they only had a dozen of their matching gold plates. Seriously?!? Was it worth the revenge of the thirteenth wise woman to worry about not having matching plates for the celebration? I do think it is a good lesson from the story that materialistic concerns may not be a priority.

Little Briar-Rose is awoken by a strange man kissing her, and she is okay with this?!? Personally, I think I would be freaking out just a little bit, yet she handles it with a calm demeanor, something that is completely within the normal realm of reality. Hello!! You have been asleep for 100 years, are awakened by a complete stranger invading your space and that you do not even know is a prince, and you have no reaction. Does this beauty have no brains?!?

I think I may have just answered my own question about what it is that I do not necessarily care for in this tale: a weak female lead with senseless parents!

Have you read the story of Little Briar-Rose (or Sleeping Beauty)? What are your thoughts about this popular fairy tale?

8 comments:

Great post! I had the very same concerns about Sleeping Beauty when I was a girl! I was annoyed that she was asleep until rescued by a man. And yes, you'd think anyone would freak out to have a total stranger in your face, basically committing assault while you're helpless and asleep! Have to admit that I never liked the helpless princesses in fairy tales, as I always wanted to be off slaying the dragon instead of waiting at home. *L*

Tif, you cracked me up lol I haven't read many of the original fairy tales, but the ones I have read really opened my eyes to the softened adaptations we're so familiar with (Disney, especially). You make some VERY good points! You make me want to pull out my fairy tale books soon!

Love this post - so funny! (And btw, I think you can allow yourself some latitude in posting, what with all the incredible work you did for Armchair BEA! You did an amazing job. If it was me, I'd still be sitting around recovering from all that work.). Have you read Philip Pullman's Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm? I have it on my shelves but haven't had a chance to read it yet. Now I'm so tempted to pull it out and see what the Briar Rose/Sleeping Beauty tale is like in the Grimm version!

Belle Wong ... Thank you so much! I am officially all done with Armchair BEA for the year, except for any random emails that are coming in, and I am now in the midst of packing for yet another move! I love to procrastinate when it comes to packing!! ;)

I have not yet read Pullman's Fairy Tales, but I have been eyeing it for ages! I really need to get myself a copy and check it out!

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Welcome to Tif Talks Books!

I am Tif: an avid reader, lover of all things literary, and the mind behind the writing of Tif Talks Books. This blog features a multitude of conversations, spanning from book reviews and discussions to even topics on the craft of writing. Whatever your age, whatever your interest, you will likely find a treasure amongst the content!